History and the Future…

Minimally Invasive…Maximum Results

Dr. Gillian completed a unique fellowship in advanced laparoscopic surgery after his general surgery training in 1998 at the Minimally Invasive Surgical Training Institute (M.I.S.T.I.) just outside of Baltimore. This was under the guidance of W. Peter Geis, M.D., a respected innovator and dedicated surgeon trainer during the early evolution of laparoscopic surgery. This was a unique time in minimally invasive surgery as many of the innovative techniques and equipment used now trace their roots to that time. Consequently, Dr. Gillian had the rare opportunity to participate in the development of many procedures, equipment and surgical materials that are in use today. Many of the “cutting edge” procedures that are often touted by surgeons and hospitals were a routine part of Dr. Gillian’s practice more than a decade ago. For example, Dr. Gillian has been performing selected surgeries with the daVinci Robotic platform since 2009 and is the first surgeon in Virginia or Washington D.C. allowed to implant the LINX device for reflux control.

1st LINX procedure in Virginia and Washington DC area

His team is one of the top 5 LINX programs in the country with respect to volume and experience. Consequently Dr. Gillian has become a common fixture on the national lecture circuit for surgeon training and at times a featured speaker on the international stage. He has facilitated the hands on training and proctoring of surgeons in other specialties like Urology, Ob/Gyn and Cardiothoracic surgery as well.

Conference or lecture topics in the past by Dr. Gillan have included a wide variety of laparoscopic surgical subjects including: inguinal hernias, incisional hernias, sports hernias, chronic groin pain, cholecystectomy (gallbladder), solid organ surgery, adrenalectomy, splenectomy, colon resection for benign and malignant disease, hand-assisted surgery, exploration for chronic abdominal pain, hiatal hernia repair, and Nissen fundoplication for reflux. The motivation for these teaching events has been to further spread the humanistic benefits of laparoscopic surgical techniques to surgeons in a variety of fields and to make it a safer and more comfortable experience for the patients in our care.

Dr. Gillian is experienced and proficient in many areas of laparoscopic surgery but he maintains a particularly strong focus on the evaluation and management of patients with hernia issues and gastroesophageal reflux disease. He established and directs the Heartburn Center at Virginia Hospital Center where he facilitates the evaluation of patients with heartburn, swallowing disorders and unexplained chest pain of both his patients and those referred from other Surgeons, Gastroenterologists, Cardiologists, Pulmonologists, ENTs and Primary Care physicians. When appropriate or requested Dr. Gillian will often correct the defects with a combination of Laparoscopic, Robotic and incisionless procedures such as the Trans-Oral Fundoplication or TIF procedure. This is also the lead center in the Mid-Atlantic and the only center in Virginia to offer the LINX procedure for reflux control

Dr. Gillian’s techniques and experience in laparoscopic abdominal and inguinal hernia repair are well known in the surgical community and it is not unusual to have visiting surgeons in his operating room to learn his techniques many times a year. In fact he often gets referrals from regional surgeons to evaluate patients due to his expertise in this complex and evolving field.